What is the obligation of a Moes Southwest Grill franchisee regarding updates to specifications, standards, or manuals?
Moes_Southwest_Grill Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 4. Update Standards and Manuals. We will provide you with notice of any changes to our specifications, Standards, or the Manuals. You must immediately adopt any supplements to the Manuals that we provide to you. (Franchise Agreement, Section 8.3)
Manuals
The Manuals contain mandatory and suggested specifications, standards and operating procedures. The Manuals are confidential, remain our property, and must be kept secure. The Manuals are currently provided electronically through the Learning Management System. We may require you to pay a license fee to us, our affiliate, or a vendor in order to use such system. We will give you an opportunity to view the Manuals in the corporate office or at another agreed-upon location before you purchase a franchise, if you so request.
We may revise our specifications for the Computer System (including the POS System) from time to time. You are contractually required to make periodic upgrades and updates to the Computer System to remain in compliance with our Standards. If it becomes advisable at any time, in our sole discretion, for us to change, upgrade, or discontinue use of any of the components of the Computer System or the model of POS System, you will comply with our directions, at your expense, within a reasonable time after notice to you. If we require you to use a different POS System, you must stop using the old POS System, purchase the new POS System, sign any required software license agreement and any required maintenance/update agreements with the vendor, pay any related POS System Support Fees, and use the new POS System. We can require you to add, substitute or replace computer hardware, memory, ports, accessories, peripheral equipment, or software, or to replace your Computer System. There are no contractual limitations on the frequency or cost of your obligation to upgrade and replace hardware and software for your Computer System.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 53–68)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Moe's Southwest Grill's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are obligated to adhere to updates and changes made to the brand's specifications, standards, and manuals. Moe's Southwest Grill will provide franchisees with notice of any changes to their specifications, standards, or the manuals. Franchisees must immediately adopt any supplements to the manuals that Moe's Southwest Grill provides.
The manuals contain both mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, and operating procedures. These manuals are provided electronically through the Learning Management System, and Moe's Southwest Grill may require franchisees to pay a license fee to use this system. Franchisees have the opportunity to view the manuals at the corporate office or another agreed-upon location before purchasing a franchise if they request it.
In addition to the manuals, Moe's Southwest Grill may revise its specifications for the computer system, including the POS system, and franchisees are contractually required to make periodic upgrades and updates to the computer system to remain compliant with Moe's Southwest Grill's standards. If Moe's Southwest Grill deems it advisable to change, upgrade, or discontinue any components of the computer system or POS system model, franchisees must comply with these directions at their own expense within a reasonable time after receiving notice. This includes potentially purchasing a new POS system, signing software license agreements, and paying related support fees. Moe's Southwest Grill can also require franchisees to add, substitute, or replace computer hardware, memory, or software. There are no contractual limitations on the frequency or cost of these required upgrades and replacements.